Class is helping develop leadership of tomorrow
After hearing pharmaceutical saleswoman Keisha Tutt describe her day, Chasity Hamilton was sure that's what she wanted to be.
"I want to go to school and major in something medical. I've always wanted a job where I would be able to talk to people. After seeing you, I said this is just the perfect job for me," the Evans High School student told Tutt.
Columbia County's Youth Leadership Class of 2002 tours the Quebecor printing plant as part of its business and industry day activities.The group, made up of about 30 high school students, listened to area business leaders discuss their work.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
Chasity was one of about 30 students participating in Columbia County's Youth Leadership Class of 2002 Business & Industry Day on Tuesday. The event was held at the Georgia Power offices on Evans to Locks Road, and the class toured the Quebecor printing plant after lunch.
During the daylong event, the students had the opportunity to network with some of the area's leading professionals, including Augusta Mayor Bob Young; school Superintendent Tommy Price; Phil Alexander, founder of Calling Post; Terry Smith of Fort Gordon; Michael Brown, owner and operator of Chick-fil-A at Augusta Exchange; Charles Mills of Georgia Power; Susan McArthur, marketing director of Papa Johns; and Phil Wahl of Bank of America.
The class was selected in October and will meet through April. So far, the group has met for orientation, a ropes session and a health care session that included a tour of area medical facilities.
"It's given me a lot of ideas about future careers," said Thomas Jennings, a 16-year-old Harlem High School sophomore, who decided he wanted to be a medical illustrator after the class toured the Medical College of Georgia. "It opens your eyes to different careers."
Through Youth Leadership, the Columbia County Chamber offers10th- and 11th-grade students the opportunity to increase their community awareness and involvement and hone their leadership skills.
Later this year, students will learn about Columbia County history and government.